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Emily Lau Does Not Value People’s Nomination Right

The House News

6th August 2013

Emily Lau Does Not Value People’s Nomination Right – Being Criticised as “Accepting Fake Universal Suffrage”

劉慧卿貶公民提名 被轟接受假普選

“What’s the main goal (of universal suffrage)? The goal is not citizens’ right to nominate candidates. Some people think that nomination right is the goal, but the real goal is a popular and fair election (to select Chief Executive). This is the most important. And each candidate will have different political views.”

When interviewed by Ming Pao Daily, Emily Lau Wai-hing, chair-lady of Democratic Party, said that “citizens’ right to nominate candidate” is not the goal of universal suffrage, but allowing people with different political views to run for the (Chief Executive) election. When asked about whether it is necessary for the nomination committee to be elected via universal suffrage, Lau said that it will require further discussions.

Alliance for True Democracy recently announced three universal suffrage proposals. Two of which include “citizens nomination”: anyone who is supported by 2% (by signed petition) of the total voters in Hong Kong can run for office. As soon as the proposals were announced, pro-Peking individuals rushed out to condemn the proposals for violating Basic Law.

What’s the main goal (of universal suffrage)? The goal is not citizens’ right to nominate candidates. Some people think that nomination right is the goal, but the real goal is a popular and fair election (to select Chief Executive). This is the most important. And each candidate will have different political views. (Emily Lau Wai-hing told Ming Pao Daily)

Democratic Party was the first political party to announced their intention to participate the 2017 Chief Executive election. Lau said during the interview that Aung San Suu Kyi announced her intention to run presidency is a good example to illustrate that it is “perfectly justifiable” for politicians to participate in elections.

Mr Avery Ng Man-yuen, chairman of League of Social Democrats (LSD), criticised Lau on his Facebook wall that Democratic Party has violated the ‘Trade Descriptions Ordinance’ and what Lau said means “it’s fine for the people of Hong Kong not to have the right to nominate, as long as Democratic Party can enter the election”:

Democratic Party “Violates Trade Descriptions Ordinance”

Democratic Party has been avoiding to talk about their stand on citizens’ nomination right. Today, however, Emily Lau has finally made it clear, which is “it is fine for (the people of Hong Kong to have) no right to nominate (candidates)”, as long as “(Democratic Party) is allowed to run for office”. This is, in fact, a fake universal suffrage with elimination process.

Many would ask: why hasn’t LSD left the Alliance? The answer is simple: if Democratic Party gave up to push for a “true” universal suffrage, it should be the Democratic Party who leaves (or gets kicked out off) the Alliance, not those who desire “true” universal suffrage. Insisting on securing citizens’ right to nominate candidates is the mainstream stand of the pan-democrats. I can no longer allow Democratic Party to redefine “true universal suffrage” as they please, and claim to be representing the mainstream opinion and claim to be “the spokesperson of democracy”.

If Democratic Party gives up Hong Kong citizens’ nomination right, the party will cease to exist by 2016, and they will have no chance of running for Chief Executive in 2017!